STOP, THIEF!

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 122, 25 May 1928, Page 5

STOP, THIEF!

HUE AND CRY RAISED.

CHASE IN PARK ROAD. ■BURGLAR SURPRISED IX BEDROOM. Startled out of liis sleep at 11.30 last evening, Mr. H. Walmsley, a railway employee, of Park Road, was surprised to find a burglar making a hurried exit from his Hat. An exciting chase ensued. Mr. Walmsley, clad only in his pyjamas, raced after the intruder, who disappeared round a nearby corner. Momentarily stopping with the thought, "he's gone," Mr. Walmsley pulled up, and was proceeding back to liis flat. Looking over his shoulder, however, he observed his quarry peeping furtively round the corner. Mr. Walmsley needed no second invitation to renew the chase, and it was a good "go" till the fugitive reached the vicinity of the Nurses' Home. Here the principals in the midnight drama came to holts. In the scuffle Mr. Walmsley, who is suffering from war disabilities, was thrown to the ground, his assailant jumping the fence and clearing out through the Auckland Hospital grounds. Unfortunately for him, however, he left minus his overcoat, which he had carried on his arm.

Mrs. Walmsley was awakened by the intruder switching on and off the electric light of the dining-room, but it was evident that the burglar had made an investigation of the contents of the bedroom beforehand. When the occupants of the flat made a search it was found that 17/0 was missing from a pocket in Mr. Walmsley's trousers, which were left hanging at the back of the bedroom door. The nocturnal visitor must have been disturbed, for he left £0 10/ in notes, which were in another pocket. The man is described as being of short stature, medium build, and wearing a dark suit. The police are investigating the affair.